Their names were put into the Kiev Chronicle in the 12th century and they were identified [ by whom? During the 8th and 9th centuries Kiev functioned as an outpost of the Khazar empire.

However, the site stood on the historical trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks , and in the late 9th century or early 10th century a Varangian nobility started to rule Kiev, which became the nucleus of the Rus' polity, whose 'Golden Age' 11th to early 12th centuries has from the 19th century become referred to as Kievan Rus'.

In the nomadic Pechenegs attacked and then besieged the city. In the s the city was besieged and ravaged by different Rus' princes several times.

In the Mongol invasion of Rus' , led by Batu Khan , completely destroyed Kiev , [41] an event that had a profound effect on the future of the city and on the East Slavic civilization.

At the time of the Mongol destruction, Kiev had a reputation as one of the largest cities in the world, with a population exceeding , in the beginning of the 12th century.

The Tatars , who also claimed Kiev, retaliated in —, so while Kiev was ruled by a Lithuanian prince, it had to pay tribute to the Golden Horde. None of the Polish-Russian treaties concerning Kiev have ever been ratified.

Shevchenko worked as a field researcher and editor for the geography department. The medical faculty of the Saint Vladimir University, separated into an independent institution in — during the Soviet period, became the Bogomolets National Medical University in During the 18th and 19th centuries the Russian military and ecclesiastical authorities dominated city life; [ citation needed ] the Russian Orthodox Church had involvement in a significant part of Kiev's infrastructure and commercial activity.

In the late s the historian, Mykola Kostomarov Russian: Nikolay Kostomarov , founded a secret political society, the Brotherhood of Saint Cyril and Methodius , whose members put forward the idea of a federation of free Slavic peoples with Ukrainians as a distinct and separate group rather than a subordinate part of the Russian nation; the Russian authorities quickly suppressed the society.

Following the gradual loss of Ukraine's autonomy, [ citation needed ] Kiev experienced growing Russification in the 19th century by means of Russian migration, administrative actions and social modernization.

At the beginning of the 20th century the Russian -speaking part of the population dominated the city centre, [ citation needed ] while the lower classes living on the outskirts retained Ukrainian folk culture to a significant extent.

During the Russian industrial revolution in the late 19th century, Kiev became an important trade and transportation centre of the Russian Empire , specialising in sugar and grain export by railway and on the Dnieper river.

By the city had also become a significant industrial centre, having a population of , Landmarks of that period include the railway infrastructure, the foundation of numerous educational and cultural facilities as well as notable architectural monuments mostly merchant-oriented.

In the first electric tram line of the Russian Empire [ citation needed ] started running in Kiev arguably, the first in the world [ citation needed ].

Kiev prospered during the late 19th century Industrial Revolution in the Russian Empire , when it became the third most important city of the Empire and the major centre of commerce of its southwest.

In the turbulent period following the Russian Revolution , Kiev became the capital of several successive Ukrainian states and was caught in the middle of several conflicts: During the last three months of , Kiev was intermittently controlled by the White Army.

Kiev changed hands sixteen times from the end of to August From to the city formed part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic , which became a founding republic of the Soviet Union in The major events that took place in Soviet Ukraine during the interwar period all affected Kiev: In Kiev became the capital of Soviet Ukraine.

The city boomed again during the years of Soviet industrialization as its population grew rapidly and many industrial giants were established, some of which exist to this day.

Axis forces killed or captured more than , Soviet soldiers in the great encirclement Battle of Kiev in Most of those captured never returned alive.

Allegedly in response to the actions of the NKVD, the Germans rounded up all the local Jews they could find, nearly 34,, [54] and massacred them at Babi Yar in Kiev over the course of 29 to 30 September It is estimated [ by whom?

Kiev recovered economically in the post-war years, becoming once again the third-most important city of the Soviet Union. However, the prevailing northward winds blew most of the radioactive debris away from Kiev.

In the course of the collapse of the Soviet Union the Ukrainian parliament proclaimed the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine in the city on 24 August In —, the city played host to the largest post-Soviet public demonstrations up to that time, in support of the Orange Revolution.

From November until February , central Kiev became the primary location of Euromaidan. Geographically, Kiev is located on a border of the Polesia woodland ecological zone a part of the European mixed woods and forest steppe biome.

However, the city's unique landscape distinguishes it from the surrounding region. Kiev is completely surrounded by Kiev Oblast.

Originated on the right bank, today Kiev is located on both sides of the Dnieper , which flows southward through the city towards the Black Sea.

The older and higher right-bank western part of the city is represented by numerous woody hills Kiev Hills , ravines and small rivers.

Kiev is a part of the larger Dnieper Upland adjoining the western bank of the Dnieper in its mid-flow. Dnieper Upland contributes to the city's elevation change.

The north outskirts of the city border the Polesian Lowland. Kiev expanded to the Dnieper's lowland on left bank to the east only in the 20th century.

The whole portion of Kiev on the left bank of Dnieper is generally referred as Left bank Ukrainian: Significant areas of the left-bank Dnieper valley were artificially sand-deposited, and are protected by dams.

Within the city the Dnieper River forms a branching system of tributaries , isles, and harbors within the city limits. The city is adjoined by the mouth of the Desna River and the Kiev Reservoir in the north, and the Kaniv Reservoir in the south.

Both the Dnieper and Desna rivers are navigable at Kiev, although regulated by the reservoir shipping locks and limited by winter freeze-over.

In total, there are bodies of open water within the boundaries of Kiev, which include Dnieper itself, its reservoirs, and several small rivers, dozens of lakes and artificially created ponds.

They occupy hectares of territory. Additionally, the city boasts of 16 developed beaches totalling hectares and 35 near-water recreational areas covering more than hectares.

Many are used for pleasure and recreation, although some of the bodies of water are not suitable for swimming. According to the UN evaluation, there were no risks of natural disasters in Kiev and its metropolitan area [59].

Kiev has a humid continental climate Köppen Dfb. The highest ever temperature recorded in the city was The municipality of the city of Kiev has a special legal status within Ukraine compared to the other administrative subdivisions of the country.

The most significant difference is that the city is considered as a region of Ukraine see Regions of Ukraine. It is the only city that has double jurisdiction.

Hrushevskoho Street is named after the Ukrainian academician, politician, historian, and statesman Mykhailo Hrushevskyi , who wrote an academic book titled: The city also has a great number of buildings for various embassies, ministerial and other important buildings.

The city state administration and council is located in the Kiev City's council building on Khreshchatyk Street. The oblast state administration and council is located in the Kiev Oblast council building on ploshcha Lesi Ukrayinky Lesya Ukrayinka Square.

The seat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The presidential administration 's building. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The growing political and economic role of the city, combined with its international relations, as well as extensive internet and social network penetration , [68] have made Kiev the most pro-Western and pro-democracy region of Ukraine; so called National Democratic parties advocating tighter integration with the European Union receive most votes during elections in Kiev.

Historically located on the western right bank of the river, the city expanded into the left bank only in the 20th century. Most of Kiev's attractions as well as the majority of business and governmental institutions are located on the right bank.

The eastern 'Left Bank' is predominantly residential. There are large industrial and green areas in both the Right Bank and the Left Bank.

Kiev is further informally divided into historical or territorial neighbourhoods, each housing from about 5, to , inhabitants. The first known formal subdivision of Kiev dates to when the city was subdivided into 4 parts: Pechersk , Starokyiv, and the first and the second parts of Podil.

In — according to Tsar Nicholas I 's decree, Kiev was subdivided into 6 police raions districts ; later being increased to During the Soviet era, as the city was expanding, the number of raions also gradually increased.

These newer districts of the city, along with some older areas were then named in honour of prominent communists and socialist-revolutionary figures; however, due to the way in which many communist party members eventually, after a certain period of time, fell out of favour and so were replaced with new, fresher minds, so too did the names of Kiev's districts change accordingly.

The last raion reform took place in when the number of raions has been decreased from 14 to Under Oleksandr Omelchenko mayor from to , there were further plans for the merger of some raions and revision of their boundaries, and the total number of raions had been planned to be decreased from 10 to 7.

With the election of the new mayor-elect Leonid Chernovetsky in , these plans were shelved. Each raion has its own locally elected government with jurisdiction over a limited scope of affairs.

According to the official registration statistics, there were 2,, residents within the city limits of Kiev in July According to the All-Ukrainian Census , the population of Kiev in was 2,, According to the census men accounted for 1,, persons, or Comparing the results with the previous census shows the trend of population ageing which, while prevalent throughout the country, is partly offset in Kiev by the inflow of working age migrants.

Some 1,, people had higher or completed secondary education, a significant increase of The June unofficial population estimate based on amount of bakery products sold in the city thus including temporary visitors and commuters gave a number of at least 3.

According to the census data, more than nationalities and ethnic groups reside within the territory of Kiev. Ukrainians constitute the largest ethnic group in Kiev, and they account for 2,, people, or Russians comprise , Most of the city's population of Muslims comprises Tatars, Caucasians and other people from the former Soviet Union.

The Ar-Rahma Mosque was built in The Jews in Kiev are first mentioned in a 10th century letter. They experienced several pogroms, including the Babi Yar massacre during the Holocaust.

Today there are approximately 20, Jews in Kiev, with two major synagogues: Modern Kiev is a mix of the old Kiev preserved about 70 percent of more than 1, buildings built during — [79] and the new, seen in everything from the architecture to the stores and to the people themselves.

When the capital of the Ukrainian SSR was moved from Kharkiv to Kiev many new buildings were commissioned to give the city "the gloss and polish of a capital".

As a result, Kiev's central districts provide a dotted contrast of new, modern buildings among the pale yellows, blues and greys of older apartments.

Urban sprawl has gradually reduced, while population densities of suburbs has increased. The most expensive properties are located in the Pechersk, and Khreshchatyk areas.

It is also prestigious to own a property in newly constructed buildings in the Kharkivskyi Raion or Obolon along the Dnieper.

Ukrainian independence at the turn of the millennium has heralded other changes. Western-style residential complexes, modern nightclubs , classy restaurants and prestigious hotels opened in the centre.

And most importantly, with the easing of the visa rules in , [80] Ukraine is positioning itself as a prime tourist attraction, with Kiev, among the other large cities, looking to profit from new opportunities.

The centre of Kiev has been cleaned up and buildings have been restored and redecorated, especially Khreshchatyk and Maidan Nezalezhnosti.

Many historic areas of Kiev, such as Andriyivskyy Descent , have become popular street vendor locations, where one can find traditional Ukrainian art , religious items, books, game sets most commonly chess as well as jewellery for sale.

Kiev's most famous historical architecture complexes are the St. Noteworthy historical architectural landmarks also include the Mariyinsky Palace designed and constructed from to , then reconstructed in , several Orthodox churches such as St.

Michael's Cathedral , St. Vladimir's , the reconstructed Golden Gate and others. Among Kiev's best-known monuments are Mikhail Mikeshin 's statue of Bohdan Khmelnytsky astride his horse located near St.

Sophia Cathedral , the venerated Vladimir the Great St. Vladimir , the baptizer of Rus' , overlooking the river above Podil from Volodymyrska Hill , the monument to Kyi, Schek and Khoryv and Lybid, the legendary founders of the city located at the Dnieper embankment.

On Independence Square in the city centre, two monuments elevate two of the city protectors; the historic protector of Kiev Michael Archangel atop a reconstruction of one of the old city's gates and a modern invention, the goddess-protector Berehynia atop a tall column.

Nicholas Roman Catholic Cathedral. National Bank of Ukraine. Monument to Mother, the Motherland. Kiev was the historic cultural centre of the East Slavic civilization and a major cradle for the Christianization of Kievan Rus'.

Kiev retained through centuries its cultural importance and even at times of relative decay, it remained the centre of primary importance of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Its sacred sites, which include the Kiev Pechersk Lavra the Monastery of the Caves and the Saint Sophia Cathedral are probably the most famous, attracted pilgrims for centuries and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site remain the primary religious centres as well as the major tourist attraction.

The above-mentioned sites are also part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine collection. In Kiev had four theatres, one opera house and one concert hall, [83] but most tickets then were allocated to "privileged groups".

Numerous songs and paintings were dedicated to the city. The most popular songs are "How not to love you, Kiev of mine? It is said that one can walk from one end of Kiev to the other in the summertime without leaving the shade of its many trees.

Most characteristic are the horse-chestnuts Ukrainian: Kiev is known as a green city with two botanical gardens and numerous large and small parks.

The Museum of The History of Ukraine in World War II is located here, which offers both indoor and outdoor displays of military history and equipment surrounded by verdant hills overlooking the Dnieper river.

Among the numerous islands, Venetsianskyi or Hydropark is the most developed. It is accessible by metro or by car, and includes an amusement park, swimming beaches, boat rentals, and night clubs.

The Victory Park Park Peremohy located near Darnytsia subway station is a popular destination for strollers, joggers, and cyclists. Boating, fishing, and water sports are popular pastimes in Kiev.

The area lakes and rivers freeze over in the winter and ice fishermen are a frequent sight, as are children with their ice skates.

The centre of Kiev Independence Square and Khreschatyk Street becomes a large outdoor party place at night during summer months, with thousands of people having a good time in nearby restaurants, clubs and outdoor cafes.

The central streets are closed for auto traffic on weekends and holidays.

Powered by Weather Underground. Map updates are paused. Zoom in to see updated info. Check In Check Out. There are no pins in your viewport.

Uppmätta normala temperaturer och -nederbörd i Kiev: Europavägarna E40 , E95 och E passerar Kiev. Each raion has its own locally elected government with jurisdiction over a limited scope of affairs.

According to the official registration statistics, there were 2,, residents within the city limits of Kiev in July According to the All-Ukrainian Census , the population of Kiev in was 2,, According to the census men accounted for 1,, persons, or Comparing the results with the previous census shows the trend of population ageing which, while prevalent throughout the country, is partly offset in Kiev by the inflow of working age migrants.

Some 1,, people had higher or completed secondary education, a significant increase of The June unofficial population estimate based on amount of bakery products sold in the city thus including temporary visitors and commuters gave a number of at least 3.

According to the census data, more than nationalities and ethnic groups reside within the territory of Kiev. Ukrainians constitute the largest ethnic group in Kiev, and they account for 2,, people, or Russians comprise , Most of the city's population of Muslims comprises Tatars, Caucasians and other people from the former Soviet Union.

The Ar-Rahma Mosque was built in The Jews in Kiev are first mentioned in a 10th century letter. They experienced several pogroms, including the Babi Yar massacre during the Holocaust.

Today there are approximately 20, Jews in Kiev, with two major synagogues: Modern Kiev is a mix of the old Kiev preserved about 70 percent of more than 1, buildings built during — [79] and the new, seen in everything from the architecture to the stores and to the people themselves.

When the capital of the Ukrainian SSR was moved from Kharkiv to Kiev many new buildings were commissioned to give the city "the gloss and polish of a capital".

As a result, Kiev's central districts provide a dotted contrast of new, modern buildings among the pale yellows, blues and greys of older apartments.

Urban sprawl has gradually reduced, while population densities of suburbs has increased. The most expensive properties are located in the Pechersk, and Khreshchatyk areas.

It is also prestigious to own a property in newly constructed buildings in the Kharkivskyi Raion or Obolon along the Dnieper. Ukrainian independence at the turn of the millennium has heralded other changes.

Western-style residential complexes, modern nightclubs , classy restaurants and prestigious hotels opened in the centre. And most importantly, with the easing of the visa rules in , [80] Ukraine is positioning itself as a prime tourist attraction, with Kiev, among the other large cities, looking to profit from new opportunities.

The centre of Kiev has been cleaned up and buildings have been restored and redecorated, especially Khreshchatyk and Maidan Nezalezhnosti.

Many historic areas of Kiev, such as Andriyivskyy Descent , have become popular street vendor locations, where one can find traditional Ukrainian art , religious items, books, game sets most commonly chess as well as jewellery for sale.

Kiev's most famous historical architecture complexes are the St. Noteworthy historical architectural landmarks also include the Mariyinsky Palace designed and constructed from to , then reconstructed in , several Orthodox churches such as St.

Michael's Cathedral , St. Vladimir's , the reconstructed Golden Gate and others. Among Kiev's best-known monuments are Mikhail Mikeshin 's statue of Bohdan Khmelnytsky astride his horse located near St.

Sophia Cathedral , the venerated Vladimir the Great St. Vladimir , the baptizer of Rus' , overlooking the river above Podil from Volodymyrska Hill , the monument to Kyi, Schek and Khoryv and Lybid, the legendary founders of the city located at the Dnieper embankment.

On Independence Square in the city centre, two monuments elevate two of the city protectors; the historic protector of Kiev Michael Archangel atop a reconstruction of one of the old city's gates and a modern invention, the goddess-protector Berehynia atop a tall column.

Nicholas Roman Catholic Cathedral. National Bank of Ukraine. Monument to Mother, the Motherland. Kiev was the historic cultural centre of the East Slavic civilization and a major cradle for the Christianization of Kievan Rus'.

Kiev retained through centuries its cultural importance and even at times of relative decay, it remained the centre of primary importance of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Its sacred sites, which include the Kiev Pechersk Lavra the Monastery of the Caves and the Saint Sophia Cathedral are probably the most famous, attracted pilgrims for centuries and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site remain the primary religious centres as well as the major tourist attraction.

The above-mentioned sites are also part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine collection. In Kiev had four theatres, one opera house and one concert hall, [83] but most tickets then were allocated to "privileged groups".

Numerous songs and paintings were dedicated to the city. The most popular songs are "How not to love you, Kiev of mine?

It is said that one can walk from one end of Kiev to the other in the summertime without leaving the shade of its many trees. Most characteristic are the horse-chestnuts Ukrainian: Kiev is known as a green city with two botanical gardens and numerous large and small parks.

The Museum of The History of Ukraine in World War II is located here, which offers both indoor and outdoor displays of military history and equipment surrounded by verdant hills overlooking the Dnieper river.

Among the numerous islands, Venetsianskyi or Hydropark is the most developed. It is accessible by metro or by car, and includes an amusement park, swimming beaches, boat rentals, and night clubs.

The Victory Park Park Peremohy located near Darnytsia subway station is a popular destination for strollers, joggers, and cyclists.

Boating, fishing, and water sports are popular pastimes in Kiev. The area lakes and rivers freeze over in the winter and ice fishermen are a frequent sight, as are children with their ice skates.

The centre of Kiev Independence Square and Khreschatyk Street becomes a large outdoor party place at night during summer months, with thousands of people having a good time in nearby restaurants, clubs and outdoor cafes.

The central streets are closed for auto traffic on weekends and holidays. Andriyivskyy Descent is one of the best known historic streets and a major tourist attraction in Kiev.

A wide variety of farm produce is available in many of Kiev's farmer markets with the Besarabsky Market located in the very centre of the city being most famous.

Each residential region has its own market, or rynok. Here one will find table after table of individuals hawking everything imaginable: Each of the markets has its own unique mix of products with some markets devoted solely to specific wares such as automobiles, car parts, pets, clothing, flowers, and other things.

At the city's southern outskirts, near the historic Pyrohiv village, there is an outdoor museum , officially called the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine It has an area of 1.

This territory houses several "mini-villages" that represent by region the traditional rural architecture of Ukraine.

The year-old Kiev Zoo is located on 40 hectares and according to CBC "the zoo has 2, animals from species". Kiev is home to some 40 different museums.

Kiev fortress is the 19th-century fortification buildings situated in Ukrainian capital Kiev, that once belonged to western Russian fortresses.

These structures once a united complex were built in the Pechersk and neighbourhoods by the Russian army. Now some of the buildings are restored and turned into a museum called the Kiev Fortress , while others are in use in various military and commercial installations.

The Golden Gate is a historic gateway in the ancient city's walls. The name Zoloti Vorota is also used for a nearby theatre and a station of the Kiev Metro.

The small Ukrainian National Chernobyl Museum acts as both a memorial and historical center devoted to the events surrounding the Chernobyl disaster and its effect on the Ukrainian people, the environment, and subsequent attitudes toward the safety of nuclear power as a whole.

Of these three, Dynamo Kyiv has had the most success over the course of its history. Other prominent non-football sport clubs in the city include: Both of these teams play in the highest Ukrainian leagues for their respective sports.

Budivelnyk was founded in , Sokil was founded in , during the existence of the Soviet Union. Both these teams play their home games at the Kiev Palace of Sports.

During the Summer Olympics held in the Soviet Union , Kiev held the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament at its Olympic Stadium , which was reconstructed specially for the event.

From 1 December stadium the stadium underwent a full-scale reconstruction in order to satisfy standards put in place by UEFA for hosting the Euro football tournament; the opening ceremony took place in the presence of president Viktor Yanukovich on 8 October , [89] with the first major event being a Shakira concert which was specially planned to coincide with the stadium's re-opening during Euro Most Ukrainian national teams play their home international matches in Kiev.

The Ukraine national football team , for example, will play matches at the re-constructed Olympic Stadium from Since introducing a visa-free regime for EU-member states and Switzerland in , Ukraine has seen a steady increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting the country.

In the Kiev city's council established the city's anthem. Economy of Kiev , Economy of Ukraine. As with most capital cities , Kiev is a major administrative, cultural and scientific centre of the country.

It is the largest city in Ukraine in terms of both population and area and enjoys the highest levels of business activity.

On 1 January there were around , business entities registered in Kiev. Official figures show that between and Kiev's economy outstripped the rest of the country's, growing by an annual average of Kiev is a middle-income city, with prices currently comparable to many mid-size American cities i.

Kiev is the undisputed center of business and commerce of Ukraine and home to the country's largest companies, such as Naftogaz Ukrainy , Energorynok and Kyivstar.

Average prices of apartments are the highest in the country and among the highest in eastern Europe. Primary industries in Kiev include utilities — i.

Scientific research is conducted in many institutes of higher education and, additionally, in many research institutes affiliated with the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences.

Kiev is home to Ukraine's ministry of education and science , and is also noted for its contributions to medical and computer science research.

Of these, the Mohyla Academy is the oldest outright, having been founded as a theological school in , however the Shevchenko University, which was founded in , is the oldest in continuous operation.

The total number of institutions of higher education in Kiev currently approaches , [] allowing young people to pursue almost any line of study.

While education traditionally remains largely in the hands of the state there are several accredited private institutions in the city.

There are about general secondary schools and ca. There are many libraries in the city with the Vernadsky National Library , which is Ukraine's main academic library and scientific information centre , as well as one of the world's largest national libraries , being the largest and most important one.

The national library is the world's foremost repository of Jewish folk music recorded on Edison wax cylinders.

Local public transportation in Kiev includes the Metro underground , buses and minibuses , trolleybuses , trams , taxi and funicular.

There is also an intra-city ring railway service. The publicly owned and operated Kiev Metro is the fastest, the most convenient and affordable network that covers most, but not all, of the city.

The Metro is continuously expanding towards the city limits to meet growing demand, currently having three lines with a total length of The Metro carries around 1.

In , the total number of trips exceeded million. The tram system currently consists of Once a well maintained and widely used method of transport, the system is now gradually being phased out in favor of buses and trolleybuses.

The Kiev funicular was constructed during — It connects the historic Uppertown , and the lower commercial neighborhood of Podil through the steep Volodymyrska Hill overseeing the Dnieper River.

The line consists of only two stations. All public road transport except for some minibuses is operated by the united Kyivpastrans municipal company.

It is heavily subsidized by the city. The Kiev public transport system, except for taxi, uses a simple flat rate tariff system regardless of distance traveled: Digital ticket system is already established in Kiev Metro, with plans for other transport modes.

Discount passes are available for grade school and higher education students. Pensioners use public transportation free.

There are monthly passes in all combinations of public transportation. Ticket prices are regulated by the city government, and the cost of one ride is far lower than in Western Europe.

The taxi market in Kiev is expansive but not regulated. In particular, the taxi fare per kilometer is not regulated. There is a fierce competition between private taxi companies.

Kiev represents the focal point of Ukraine's "national roads" system, thus linked by road to all cities of the country.

European routes , and intersect in Kiev. There are 8 over- Dnieper bridges and dozens of grade-separated intersections in the city. Several new intersections are under construction.

There are plans to build a full-size, fully grade-separated ring road around Kiev. Overall, Kiev roads are in poor technical condition and maintained inadequately.

Traffic jams and lack of parking space are growing problems for all road transport services in Kiev. Kiev is served by two international passenger airports: There are also the Gostomel cargo airport and additional three operating airfields facilitating the Antonov aircraft manufacturing company and general aviation.

Railways are Kiev's main mode of intracity and suburban transportation. The city has a developed railroad infrastructure including a long-distance passenger station, 6 cargo stations, depots, and repairing facilities.

However, this system still fails to meet the demand for passenger service. Particularly, the Kiev Passenger Railway Station is the city's only long-distance passenger terminal vokzal.

Construction is underway for turning the large Darnytsia Railway Station on the left-bank part of Kiev into a long-distance passenger hub, which may ease traffic at the central station.

Presently, only one rail bridge out of two is available for intense train traffic. A new combined rail-auto bridge is under construction, as a part of Darnytsia project.

In the Kiev city administration established a new 'Urban Train' for Kiev.